Turner Books

Beautiful work that shows the souls of women, and how they arrange their personal space to display what is important to them.

Many of the illustrations and texts focus on Mexican and Mexican-American women and their Catholic shrines/altars (this is what the author has studied the most), but there are also illustrations of Goddess, Celtic, African, Hindu, Buddhist, and Orthodox altars pictured in the book. The text is well written, but the pictures are definitely the highlight of the book.

Kay Turner's Beautiful Necessity graces its readers with balance and bounty. In its image-filled pages, one finds scholarship and story, history and anecdote, ritual and spontaneity, tradition and innovation, honor and humor: in all, the elements of a living altar. For those versed in altar tradition and practice, Beautiful Necessity affirms the sacred act of connection to that larger than the self; for those new to the tradition, welcome after welcome is given. Anyone who has ever -- who hasn't? -- found or made a meaningful connection to the sacred through objects or images will see themselves reflected here. One surprise after another greets readers throughout the book: perhaps one of the biggest surprises is the enduring and unquestionable connection between the altars themselves, made by women separated by time, place and history. Turner focuses on the ritual gestures of offering -- physical, spiritual, incantatory, conversational-- and manages, through carefully distinct chapters, to bring together the whole of altar practice via attention to distinct aspects and traditions; detail after detail stands out, and still the different altars come together into a practice, a way of being. This is remarkable, since even the contemporary altars vary from ephemeral performance art installations in New York City to long-enduring, cherished domestic altars in homes on several continents. Buy the book. Read the book. Make an altar, or return to the altar you have, or to your appreciation of another, refreshed and restored by this wide-ranging illumination of spiritual and artistic practice and belief. You need this book.

This book provides a thorough and well written discussion of various aspects of women's altars. If you maintain a home altar, you may experience a deep revelation of how women across cultures and religions have similar practices and understandings of the sacred altar space. Turner's book does a wonderful job with photographic images of altars created by women practicing different traditions, including Goddess worship, Catholicism, and Buddhism. I was unaware of how altar traditions are often passed down through women in the family or that women are the primary caretakers of altars in certain cultures. Turner's discussion of techniques that are shared by women, such as collage, was wonderful to read. I thought some of the practices I had been doing were unique to me, since I was not taught them. How great to discover women share these creative practices and approaches to the spiritual realm collectively. This book is a true gift.

This is a great book for anyone who is a fan, but also a real treat for people living in the metro-Detroit area, as a few of the celebrities asked are local TV and radio stars. She wrote to a lot of people over the years and has a great collection of stars' heroes, from Soupy Sales to Les Paul and of course Davy Jones! It's neat to find out who inspired the celebrities to be who they are today.

Mary Guerra is an authority on fandom as she is a member of a fanclub or two herself. I know this since she belongs to the fanclub I run for Davy Jones, Davy Devotees. Though the concept of fandom is normally perceived as being something the nonfamous possess, Mary spent years contacting various celebrities asking them just who they consider themselves a fan of and what fanclubs they would join if they could! She received personal responses from legends in the field of entertainment like RoseMarie and Phyllis Diller to Les Paul, inventor of the electric guitar, Richard Petty, of racing fame, columnist, Liz Smith and "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe. Shirley Jones, Peter Noone and Mary's personal favorite, Davy Jones of The Monkees, are just a few of the many other highlighted celebrities. If you've been a fan of anyone at anytime, this book gives you an interesting look at who those we admire actually admire. At times the featured celebrities provide laughs and at other times intriguing revelations. Overall this is a fun read with a lot of heart!

This book is fabulous. My husband and I found it to be a quick, entertaining read. We particularly enjoyed the entry from Mike Clark, our favorite radio DJ. It's interesting to see what people celebrities find heroic, and it conveys more of an inside look into their personality as well.

Dr. Turner writes with dry wit and intimate understanding of the beauty, complexity, and mystery of the Eastern Shore of VA.

Loved the book, couldn't wait for the next chapter. Easy to read. Turner has another book East of the Chesapeake and it is a must also. After you read the first one it's nice to check out his museum. In his books he has such an interest in people, he finds something interesting in anyone he seems to meet. Very enjoyable writer.

With the recent purchase of a 1926 farmhouse on Hoopers Island on Maryland's Eastern Shore, I wanted to learn more about life on the Bay. My family and I hoped this book would shed light on perhaps a gentler time, with a return to "the basics." William Turner has written a wonderful account of his life growing up on the Chesapeake Bay in the 40's and '50s. The stories are entertaining, with laughs, as well as gasps, as well as tears. My sons, ages 10 and 6, beg me to retell his stories on our drives to our new Eastern Shore retreat home. From bear sightings to pig butchering to duck hunting adventures to sinking boats in the dead of winter, William Turner paints vivid images in our minds of life on the Chesapeake Bay during a time of neighborly help and family closeness. He is an artist, and shares his sketches in this book as well, which further brings home the true meaning of his stories. This is a treasure!

This energetic, colorful little book is delightful to read to your little ones while using enough golf terms to keep the parent smiling.

My husband and I both golf and would like to get our children interested. This book was both creative and informative using proper golf language. The illustration were both fun and realistic to the game of golf. Our children loved chip and his adventure.

I had an opportunity to see an early copy of this book and was very impressed. The book is colorful and the story is clever and fun. This is a great way to introduce children to the game of golf.

Anyone who has any childhood memories at all will love this book, don't read it without a box of kleenex close by

This is a book about Christmas memories as told from the every perspective. Everything from the house's perspective to the people living in the house to the people's pet. I really enjoyed reading this book. The different ways the stories of Christmas are told really makes the book that much better. The illustrations in this book really draw you into the story. This would be a great book to use in a writing lesson on perspective. I really enjoyed the way the author flipped the story around between people, pets and the actual house.

Being a first grade teacher and avid children's literature fan, I came across this book in our school library. The cover was absolutely gorgeous and it invited me to open it up. The author allows you to view how each family member remembers the highs and lows of Christmas, including the family pets. When I read the book to my class, the conversations and discussion tumbled into building Christmas memories and traditions of their own. This story catapulted us into one of the most memorable teaching experiences of my life. I highly reccommend it to anyone who works with children. When I shared this book with other faculty members, each had the same response,"Where can I get it?" I am unsure why this book is not being printed. Perhaps the publisher needs to receive a few phone calls! This book is a million emotion investment!!

Ecrire c'est plus agreable lorsque l'ecrivain se sert du style parle. Les lecteurs comprennent plus facilement ce que vous dites. Ils sont en cas de faire ce que vous voulez d'eux. Ce qui leur plait aussi, c'est d'avoir, a leur portee, tous les faits et les statistiques. Mais au beau milieu du temps de la technologie, ils aiment surtout entendre la voix de l'ecrivain. Alors c'est toujours utile de laisser entendre votre avis.

I am always writing on my job and sometimes I just didn't know who to start on certain types of documents. However, this book helped me a lot. Now at least I have the steps and guidance of this book to help me.

Write the way you talk so your writing sounds natural. Think of the reader's background and level of responsibility: make it easy for the reader to figure out why you are writing and what you want. Be concise and to the point: back up ideas and recommendations with facts and opinions. Fight writer's block by working on orderly flow and by making sure that you know all you need to write. Marcia Layton's humorously written, logically organized and well-indexed COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO TERRIFIC BUSINESS WRITING jumpstarts just about every kind of writing around. Her book puts into practice Edward P. Bailey's THE PLAIN ENGLISH APPROACH TO BUSINESS WRITING, Robert W. Bly and Gary Blake's THE ELEMENTS OF BUSINESS WRITING, Richard B. Loth's HOW TO PROFIT FROM READING ANNUAL REPORTS, and Maryann V. Piotrowski's EFFECTIVE BUSINESS WRITING.

I as the author recieved this review from a little girl of about 10. Mr. Turner, I have your book Daddy, Could You Love Me? and your song too. I love the book, and the song as well. they are great. I did a book report on your book at school and if you are wondering, I made a good grade on it. Your Fan, Jasmine Coleman. Thank you Jasmine and to all who read my book. John H. Turner Jr.

I John Turner, received this letter about my book, I am extremely proud of this little girl. Dear Mr. Turner, how are you? I'm Jasmine Coleman. I bought your book, Daddy, Could You Love Me? Thank you for signing it. I also listened to your song. It's great. I did a book report on your book. In case you're wondering, I made a very good grade on it. if you make another book I'll look forward to reading it. Your Fan ,Jasmine Coleman P.S. how do you come up with what you write? This little girl looks to be about 9, or 10 years old. isn't this a great book review!! Wish I could show you the letter, it's in big block letters.

John Turner Jr.'s book, DADDY COULD YOU LOVE ME?, is a story of the South, spanning the Depression through the Civil Right's Movement. What John paints in his book seems so real I finished wondering "Did it really happen ?". His characters all seem like someone you've known at one time or another. His story stays riveting from page to page. This book isn't long - for John doesn't waste time on lengthy descriptions. I like that, since usually I speed read throught those pages in a book. What he presents grows on you and is quite entertaining. This is a story of family, of loss, of war, of the Old South vs. the New South. I could spend time retelling the story he presents, but I think you should discover James Buchanan on your own in this delightful book. I highly recommend it. My only complaint is that I wanted more when I finished. John Turner should send this book to Hollywood, as it would make a great movie. Hopefully someone has already noticed and it's in production. Believe me, I'll be the first in line at the theatre.

Twelve year old Buzz Collins thought so, but he was wrong.

Everything started when Buzz's grandpa, Baxter Collins moved in. Grandpa Collins, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease was going to be sharing a room with Buzz for the summer. Buzz really didn't like the idea of this at first. He found grandpa quite annoying. Grandpa seemed to go off into his own little world at times, or as Buzz would say, "Driving away in the Alzheimer". Every night, grandpa would count aimlessly until he fell asleep "4...7...2...". Buzz wanted to cure his grandpa's Alzheimer's... he had an idea.

I read this book in one sitting. It seemed as if the pages were turning themselves.

-John Albrecht Jr.

This was a wonderful book, I really enjoyed it, I read the first 70 pages all at once!! I didn't want to stop reading. This story was both sad and funny. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a truly wonderful tale of life and families and the changes they sometimes have to go through.

This one is a tear-jerker, as I found myself emotionally engrossed, staying up all night long to read the book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down.

This book realistically exemplifies what happens to many people as they age, and the life and love and letting go that families go through together.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good heart-warming family story.

What a fantastic book! Michael Turner not only shows you amultitude of examples, most of which are beautiful full colorpaintings of various racing subjects from what appears to be the 50's right through to present day, but he also provides basic lessons that will assist beginners and professionals alike. The cover gives away the content in that the bulk of the book consists of Formula 1 cars, but the principles contained within can be applied to other drawing disciplines. Mr. Turner provides suggestions for the materials to be used to render your artwork and covers all aspects from drawing the car itself to background setting and the various details in between. Rudimentary lessons are provided in the basics of perspective, ellipses, and overall development of the vehicle's appearance from a simple shell to a fully detailed racing machine!

It would be foolish to say that reading this book will instantly have you creating masterworks on level with those in the book, but the techniques contained within will certainly set you in the right direction. I cannot recommend this book enough. As an aspiring artist and racing fan, I often lamented the fact that there were no books that specifically combined my two loves. Thanks to an ad in an issue of MotorSport (which I picked up on a whim) my wish has now been answered! For artists, or just for fans of racing art, this book is highly recommended!

Its a very good book, at the same time similar and not similar to Thom Taylors "How to Draw Cars like a Pro".
I gave this book a 5 star rating, but there is just one thing that was making me feel like giving it a "4", the thing is that the book could have some more explanation about the colouring process, beacause painting is not that simple to understand for a beginner artist. Well, I hope that more books similar to this one will be published and i can promise i will buy all of them. I like it.
Thanks Amazon.

There are a lot of photographers specialized in capturing exciting moments in motor racing. On the other hand, painters on motor racing is not easy to find. Michael Turner has been painting racing cars for some years and his works had been published and well accepted by F1 fans.

This book is not one just to demonstrate his works but it actually walks you through on how to draw and paint racing cars. With Michael's expertise in this area, you won't feel lost while picking up the techniques described. If you want to try it out yourself, this is a very good book to start with. Don't expect to become an expert right away but at least you have the expert telling you where and how to start.

This book is absolutely one of its kind, you couldn't find any other like this one.

An excellent book by the only man who has really seen the series from the very beginning. He is the only actor to have worked with all the actors to have played the Doctor. Thanks to the Big Finish audios he has appeared with the 6th Doctor and will be appearing with the 8th when Paul McGann returns to the roll next year. He rarely does conventions any more and, when he does, refuses to tell some of the stories he's famous for.

This is the sort of autobiography you would expect from The Brigadier. Solid, dependable, traditional...but Nicholas Courtney isn't the Brigadier, and this also tells the story of his off-screen life, and life before Doctor Who stardom.

The first part of the book tells the story of the actor's early life, his parent's separation. Then follows the customary section on National Service, weekly rep, meeting Donald Wolfit and John Geilgud. It's good to hear Nick tell the familiar "actor's autobiography", because his style is friendly, humorous, and honest. This makes the book so enjoyable that the pages zoom by. We learn about the author's successes with the ladies, and, to his credit, his failures, and the breakdown of his marriage is dealt with in what seems to be a very honest manner.

The section on his Doctor Who work is well-written, and leaves out a lot of familiar material. This could be due to the work of Courtney's editor, John Nathan-Turner. For whatever reason, this remains fresh and exciting even thirty years after the fact.

The last part of the book details the post-Doctor Who work, and it is remarkable to see that since Courtney stopped being a Doctor Who regular in 1974 he has played the Brig no fewer than seven times. His work continues of course on the Doctor Who audio adventures, but this book was written before they had been established.

The large format suits his story well, allowing space for many rare and well-researched photographs. There are a few too many blank spaces for my liking, and some unnecessary tributes from those who have worked with him. He could also have cut down the number of references to Equity, the actors' union. Other than that, this is a first class read, and tells a more interesting story than the well-worn convention anecdotes, or sections in general Doctor Who books.

All of my life, I have been a no-nonsense man, who knows nothing but work. In 1986, I began to watch Dr. Who, just as a whim in a miltary barracks, on a TV set in the barrack day room that was chained to the floor so no one would steal it. At first it seemed rather cheesy, but then I found that I could not miss a single episode and if I had to miss it, I would record it. Once, I brought a VHS out to a live fire gunnery tank range, where we were to fire all day and all night for two nights.

In one of the tents where the crews were de-briefed and rested, I set up a small TV and the VHS and powered it up by using a military 15kw gas generator. We and the tank crews of my battalion watched Dr. Who.

My first experience with Dr. Who were the Pertwee years and the Brigadier played a large roll. I enjoyed these immensley and bought each one for my collection...and I am still watching them today..(In fact "Planet of Spiders" parts three and four are on tap this weekend).

In short, buy this book. By any book associated with any character who played in this marvelous series.

Thank you Brigadier for your part in allowing an ordinary man,for a few moments anyway,to escape the inescapable life of medocrity.